Patent GB-287370-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in cigar bunch concentrator
IPC: A24C1/20
Filed: 1927-07-04
Abstract: 287,370. Marks, E. C. R., (International Cigar Machinery Co.). July 4, 1927. Cigar-making machines. -A bunch concentrator comprises an intermittently rotating turret 11 carrying members 19, 20 with complementary recesses on their peripheries, two swinging arms alternately registering with the uppermost pair of recesses, the one arm effecting the loading and the other the compression, and pins protruding through the periphery of the turret for discharging the bunch. The turret is given a step-by-step motion by a notched wheel 12 which is operated by a camactuated rod 25 connected to one arm of a bell-crank lever 26 the other arm of which carries a pin 27 engaging the wheel 12. The bellcrank lever 26 is pivoted on a loose arm 28 and has stop-screws 30 cooperating with a pin 29, permitting the lever and arm to move relatively to an extent sufficient to unlock the pin 27 and wheel 12. Further movement of the lever and arm, however, causes the spring 31 to pull the pin into engagement with the next slot of the wheel 12. While the pin 27 is out of engagement, the wheel 12 is kept from turning by a lock 35 carried by a. belt-crank lever 36 which is actuated through linkwork 37, 38. Surrounding each end of the turret are pathways 23 in which the outer removable members 20 are guided, openings 39 being however provided at the upper part of such pathways to permit the insertion and removal of the members 20. These operations are effected by means of an arm 14, loosely mounted on and movable through 90‹ about the shaft 13. Within the arm 14 is a sliding bar 40 hinged to an arm 41 fast on the shaft 13. The movement of these parts is effected by a cam-actuated rod 49 and crank 47, there being a spring 45 interposed between the arm 14 and slide 40 whereby the latter may continue its movement after the arm 14 has been stopped by contact with the turret. This extra movement disengages projections 43 from slots in the members 20 and the ensuing movement of the turret carries the member thus released within the peripheral pathways 23. The returning movement of the crank 47 then causes the engagement of the projections 43 with the slots in the next member 20, and removes such member from contact. Pins 69 carried by a bar 70 within the turret then lift the cigar from the inner member 19 so that it may be transferred to a bunch wrapping device. The bar 70 is mounted on a vertical rod 73 receiving motion from a link 76 and cam lever 77. The refilling of the member 19 is effected by the mechanism of the arm 16. An. unconcentrated bunch is placed in a pocket formed by stationary sidle walls 51 and a movable bottom 52 attached to rods 54 which are carried by a cross-head 55 and guided in the end of the arm 16. The cross-head 55 is connected by a link 56 to an arm 57 fast on the shaft 15; the arm 16 is loose on this shaft, and a compression spring 58 connects it with the crosshead 55. A gear 59 on the shaft 15 is rocked to and fro by a sector 60 actuated by a crank and cam-lever linkage. The movable bottom of the pocket carried by the arm 16 permits the enclosed bunch to be compressed after the side walls have been stopped by contact with the member 19. Trimming knives 64, 65, 66 are mounted at each end of the turret, and also on the end of the cross-bead 56.